Overpaid and Over here!

Unilever's James Lawrence, yesterday resigned as chief financial officer. The American, who joined the company only in September 2007 received an annual salary including bonus of Euro 1.37 million. But amazingly he will also be allowed to draw down the remainder of a $1 million “golden hello”, along with 80,000 shares that he was offered in stages. He will also keep Unilever shares worth an estimated Euro 14 million which demonstrates the way that executive compensation is stacked in favor of a select few members of top management. Would an ordinary factory worker who leaves after two years be mollycoddled in the same way? How long will the company owners stay asleep at the wheel?